Joanne Hsu, writing for The Conversation, says the latest Surveys of Consumers data show almost no change between September and October: “Consumers are not feeling that optimistic at the moment, but generally no worse than they were last month.”

Because of the government shutdown, there is no federal jobs report, but there are still estimates of a declining labor market. Joanne Hsu said Americans have become increasingly worried about the outlook for their incomes and personal finances, adding consumers feel “pressure from both the prospect of higher inflation as well as the risk of… Continue reading Shutdown Creates Jobs Data Blackout—But Wall Street Says Employment Numbers Are Grim

ANN ARBOR—Consumer sentiment fell about 5% from last month but remains above the low readings seen in April and May of this year, confirming its early-month reading.  Although September’s decline was relatively modest, it was seen across a broad swath of the population, groups by age, income and education, said economist Joanne Hsu, director of… Continue reading Consumer sentiment declines amid concerns about inflation, unemployment